Fundamental

This list of nine divisive principles, principles I believe do NOT belong in a functioning multicultural and multi-ethnic society, is a good test of one’s moral compass and barring at the moment, and can be used as a digital time capsule (see below). See which ones you agree and disagree with (test it on your kids):

(1) one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex;

(2) the [nation] is fundamentally racist or sexist;

(3) an individual, by virtue of his or her race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously;

(4) an individual should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment solely or partly because of his or her race or sex;

(5) members of one race or sex cannot and should not attempt to treat others without respect to race or sex;

(6) an individual’s moral character is necessarily determined by his or her race or sex;

(7) an individual, by virtue of his or her race or sex, bears responsibility for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race or sex; (8) any individual should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress on account of his or her race or sex ; or

(9) meritocracy or traits such as a hard work ethic are racist or sexist, or were created by a particular race to oppress another race. How did you do? Instead of commenting, telling me which you agree with and which you don’t, you should copy and paste them into an email and write down your support or rejection of each one, and then email it to yourself, then revisit in five and then ten years time, and see how you feel. Think of it as a digital time capsule.

[Note: I replaced a specific country’s name with the word ‘nation’ in point 2, to make it a little easier to think clearly, just imagine we’re talking about your country, or Turkey or Nigeria if you’d like.]